Support NJEA PAC’s 2018 endorsed candidates

At its August meeting, the New Jersey Education Association’s 125-member political action operating committee (NJEA PAC) voted to recommend to the National Education Association’s (NEA) Fund for Children and Public Education Bob Menendez for U.S. Senate and three candidates for the U.S. House in congressional districts two, three and eleven.

Two districts, four and seven, were recommended as voters’ choices. The endorsements of the friendly incumbents in the seven remaining congressional districts had previously been approved in May.

NJEA PAC votes on the recommendations of local interview teams of members from each congressional district. The 2018 NJEA PAC-endorsed candidates are:

Face it, every decision—from pensions and privatization, to salaries and benefits—is a decision made by people who hold public office. The only way to influence these decisions is to elect candidates who support our public schools and our active and retired public school employees.

What’s more, electing Bob Menendez, who has an “A” rating from the NEA, is critical as the U.S. Supreme Court hangs in the balance. As recent decisions show, the U.S. Supreme Court has an outsized influence on the rights of public employees to organize for fair wages, pensions, and benefits and the court is expected to hear more labor cases in the next term.

With the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, the U.S. Senate is vying to confirm a nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, who has a record of siding with big corporations, supporting private school vouchers, and opposing workers’ rights. Bob Menendez opposes his confirmation and, if re-elected, will continue to fight for public education and labor like he has during his entire service in Congress.

NJEA PAC needs your help to make sure we succeed in electing the right candidates like Bob Menendez and the other recommended U.S. House candidates. To be effective, NJEA PAC depends on your voluntary contributions. To contribute, simply fill out the tear-out card found in this newsletter and return it along with your contribution.

NJEA PAC is your voice
NJEA PAC prides itself on having a sound, fair, and democratic member-led process leading up to the endorsement of a candidate. The process focuses on identifying candidates most supportive of NJEA’s issues. Endorsing and electing candidates who support NJEA’s goals increases our ability to advocate for favorable legislation and to stop negative legislation.

Regardless of whether the election is for federal, state or local offices, all decisions are made solely by NJEA/NJREA members. In each case, candidates have the opportunity to share their views by filling out a questionnaire and/or meeting with a local interview team of NJEA/NJREA members that reflects the diversity of our membership.